Lot 2044
China, French Post Offices in China (towns other than Shanghai)
Estimate
8,000 - 20,000 HKD
1863 (3 March) an entire sheet sent from Hong Kong to Nantua, France, franked with a pair of French Ceres 20c in blue and one single 10c yellow with large margin, both tied by clear anchor diamond lozenges, with a legibly clear French octagonal “COL. F. V. SUEZ PAQ. F. / DONNAI / 3 MARS 63”. With reference to Lee Scamp’s French Mail Paquebot Far East Itineraries page 16 (Figure MI-63-7B), the French octagonal DONNAI d.s. is the same as that figure illustration on the book. This French M.I. datestamp was cancelled on voyage of the steamer from Hong Kong to Saigon, matching the use of anchor lozenges. This is also the first voyage of DONNAI M.I. steamer providing its regular French packet services. An extremely important French M.I. mail.
1863.3.3 香港寄法國，貼20生丁雙連 + 10生丁，銷船錨殺手戳及法國郵船Donnai號日戳。為Scamp書中該戳圖例之原件。同為Donnai號恒常服務之首航例子，極為難得。